At the far reaches of the Lion Knight’s kingdom sits an unassuming cottage at the edge of a thick forest. The river just east of the cottage marks the boundary to an unclaimed wild filled with bandits and thieves.

The cottage owner earns his favor with the Lion Knight’s by capturing wanted outlaws and monitoring human activities in this region. He is a master of secrets, a smuggler, and a spy, all for the right price. He works tirelessly to propagate his fellow forestman, and he has found himself to be unusually prosperous. Is his loyalty with the queen, or a set of rogues? The cottage looks welcoming enough, but does it hold any secrets?

I have dropped the piece count by almost 700 pieces from Series 7 to Series 8. Two new play features have been added, consisting of a secret door in the rock face for prisoner escape and the ability to lift up the balcony/terrace for easier access into the building's first floor. The cave interior has been reworked to be more open, and I have reduced vegetation. Many other small changes have been made that don't detract from the scale or beauty of the set.

I hope the details and play features allow for narrative play. It is made to inspire several fun scenarios and stories. The set has some modularity, and all interior spaces can be accessed. Interiors are furnished and detailed. Play features include a subterranean cave with jail and treasure pile. The cave can be accessed via a ladder hidden behind a swingable vanity or lifting the ramp to the house to reveal a secret passageway for smuggling. I have included stairs, so that it is logical how the minifigures could access all floors.

My goal was to make an aesthetically pleasing house that looks great from multiple angles. I really try to capture a building in a natural environment. The rocks, cliffs, and trees all add character to the set. I think it is a fitting environment for a house inspired by the forestman.

The house itself was difficult to construct, with the primary dimensions being 11 x 13 studs, but I love the challenge. I incorporate a dormer style extension and other styles typical of medieval architecture. I used the Tudor style that is widely used for Medieval Sets. I included angle timbers via refining the technique used in a recent set. It is only two bricks wide, opposed to three and very much secure. The roof is constructed using a traditional truss system. It is connected to the building by four studs that can carefully be removed to provide access to the top floor.

I put a lot of love into this set and overcame a lot of design challenges. I have also introduced a few new techniques. I hope you like it!